[2025 Xingtai Attraction] Travel Guide for Kaiyuan Temple (Updated Jun)

👍️Recommended reason: Xingtai, Hebei, is a charming city with a rich history and stunning natural scenery that is definitely worth a visit🤩. It is one of the birthplaces of the Yangshao culture, and the ancient Xing Kiln culture and Bian Que culture are inherited here. In Xingtai, you can stroll through the ancient Shunde Prefectural Office and feel the weight of history, or climb the Kaiyuan Temple Pagoda and overlook the city scenery. The natural scenery is also impressive, with the magical karst cave landscape of Kongshan Baiyun Cave, like a dreamlike fairyland, as well as spectacular waterfalls, with rushing water and majestic momentum🌊. In addition, Xingtai's food culture is also unique and can satisfy your taste buds. Whether you are a history and culture enthusiast or a natural scenery seeker, Xingtai can bring you surprises and emotions, allowing you to gain an unforgettable travel memory🥰. 🗺️Detailed address: Xingtai City, Hebei Province 🔢Tour sequence: You can first go to Shunde Prefectural Office to start a journey of historical and cultural exploration; then go to Kaiyuan Temple Pagoda to appreciate the beauty of ancient architecture; then go to Kongshan Baiyun Cave to feel the magical craftsmanship of nature; then go to the city to taste the food; in the evening, you can go to the night market to experience the local atmosphere. 📅Must-see attractions: Shunde Prefectural Office, witnessing the historical changes of Xingtai; Kaiyuan Temple Pagoda, with its simple and majestic shape; Kongshan Baiyun Cave, a magical karst cave that is amazing; Xingtai Grand Canyon, with its magnificent canyon scenery; Dahuoquan Park, an ecological oasis in the city. It has Xiaoyuan Flower Arrangement Courtyard, Daidai Island Paradise, Hobbit Town, Glass Plank Road, Cliff Swing, Glass Rafting, Mountain Road Slide, Little Lijiang, etc.! It is especially suitable for treasure who love taking pictures and playing! It is best to buy a pass, you must play rafting, it is very cool. 🚗Transportation tips: City buses can reach the main attractions, or you can choose to take a taxi or rent a car to drive yourself, making travel more convenient. 🏨Accommodation guide: There are various hotels and homestays to choose from in the city, such as Xingtai Wanfeng Hotel, etc., with convenient transportation and complete facilities; if you want to be close to the scenic spot, you can choose a homestay around the scenic spot to facilitate your visit. 🎫Scenic spot tickets: The ticket prices for each scenic spot are different. Some scenic spots such as Shunde Prefectural Office and Dahuoquan Park are free, while other scenic spots such as Kongshan Baiyun Cave require separate tickets. 🍔Nearby food recommendations: Xingtai Tofu Brain, tender and smooth; Daokou Roast Chicken, delicious meat; Sanbai Watermelon, sweet and juicy; as well as Xingtai Stewed Cake, Vegetable Dumplings and other special delicacies, which are unforgettable😋. 📷Photography tips: In front of ancient buildings, you can use a low-angle upward shot to highlight the grandeur of the building; in the karst cave, use lighting to capture the magical colors; when shooting food, use close-ups to highlight the color and texture. 🏬Shopping souvenir: You can buy Xing Kiln ceramic products, with exquisite shapes; as well as Julu honeysuckle and other special agricultural products, as well as Bian Que culture-related cultural and creative products. 💗Other tips: Pay attention to the weather before traveling and prepare suitable clothes; pay attention to the slippery ground when visiting karst caves and other scenic spots; you can try more street shops when tasting food to explore the authentic flavor.

⛰[Attraction Guide] 📍Address: Middle section of Kaiyuan North Road, Xiangdu District, Xingtai City, Hebei Province 🚗Transportation: Take bus No. 1, 11 Branch, 24, 38, 50, 109 Branch, or 601 in Xingtai city. 🕙Opening hours: 8:30–16:00 💰Ticket price: Free 🌟Highlights: Xingtai Kaiyuan Temple Kaiyuan Temple, Xingtai City, Hebei Province Xingtai Kaiyuan Temple, also known as Dayuan Temple or Dongda Temple, was first built during the Kaiyuan period of the Tang Dynasty. It served as a royal temple during the Tang and Yuan dynasties and was one of the centers of Buddhism in northern China, a renowned temple throughout Chinese history. Xingtai Kaiyuan Temple is the ancestral home of the Dayuan School and the Caodong School, the place where the second patriarch of Zen Buddhism passed on the Dharma, and the place where the seventh patriarch, Master Shenhui, resided. Its history can be traced back to the Later Zhao period. During the reign of Emperor Wen of the Sui Dynasty, it was called "Fan'ai Temple." Empress Wu Zetian of the Tang Dynasty bestowed the name "Dayun Temple." Emperor Xuanzong of the Tang Dynasty gave it the name Kaiyuan Temple. Kublai Khan, the founder of the Yuan Dynasty, visited twice and bestowed the name Dayuan Temple. During the Qing Dynasty, "Spring Outing at the Ancient Temple" was one of the twelve scenic spots of Shunde Prefecture. During the Republic of China, "Bell Sounds from the Country Temple" was one of the eight scenic spots of ancient Xingtai. Xingtai Kaiyuan Temple is one of the relatively well-preserved Tang Dynasty temples in China. The temple preserves a large number of ancient inscriptions, statues, scripture pillars, and scriptures, including the Tang sixteen-sided scripture pillar, the only one of its kind in China. The stone carvings of Kaiyuan Temple record in detail the Buddhist origins of Kaiyuan Temple and the historical changes in the Central Plains region, serving as important materials for studying ancient politics, economy, history, and Buddhist culture. In May 2006, Xingtai Kaiyuan Temple was listed by the State Council as a sixth batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units. 📌Tips: Parking is available.

🌹On the vast map of China, there is a place sculpted by the winds of history and adorned with picturesque natural scenery—Xingtai, anciently known as Xingxiang. Like a dazzling pearl nestled in the embrace of Yanzhao, it awaits every traveler's exploration and discovery. ❤️【Explore the Ancient, Travel Through Millennia】 Stepping into Xingtai is like stepping into a living historical scroll. Here, you can ascend the 3,500-year-old Xingtai ancient city wall and experience the vicissitudes and profoundness of time. Stroll through Kaiyuan Temple, listen to the morning bells and evening drums, and purify your soul in the tranquility of this ancient temple. Not to be missed is Bailu Hot Spring in Xingtai County, a historical royal bathing place. The gurgling spring water washes away the fatigue of the world, as if transporting you back to a time of leisurely mountain views. 🏞【Amidst Mountains and Rivers, Discover Natural Beauty】 Xingtai is not only rich in history but also blessed with the beauty of mountains and rivers. Kongtong Mountain is famous for its steepness and unique beauty. Its towering peaks and swirling clouds create a scene reminiscent of a fairyland. Tianhe Mountain, known as "China's Love Mountain," features gurgling streams, cascading waterfalls, and the beautiful legend of the Cowherd and the Weaver Girl, adding romance and mystery to the landscape. Enjoy flowers in spring, escape the heat in summer, admire red leaves in autumn, and appreciate snow scenes in winter—each season offers its unique beauty. 🍺【A Cultural Feast, Savoring Xingxiang's Charm】 Xingtai boasts a profound cultural heritage and rich folk arts. Here, you can admire the combination of strength and grace in Xingtai Plum Blossom Boxing, a national intangible cultural heritage, and experience the charm of traditional Chinese martial arts. Savor authentic Xingtai snacks like Xingtai Fried Pancakes, Hei Family Dumplings, and Longyao Lamb Soup—each bite is a treat for the taste buds, leaving a lasting impression. 🌳🌳【Green Ecology, Sharing a Healthy Life】 With the passage of time, Xingtai has placed increasing emphasis on green ecological development. Qilihe Wetland Park, Dahuoquan Park, and other places have become popular leisure destinations for citizens and important migratory routes for birds, showcasing the harmonious coexistence of humans and nature. Here, you can cycle, stroll, enjoy the gifts of nature, and experience the tranquility and beauty of life. 🌹Xingtai, a city that integrates ancient charm with modern trends, natural beauty with cultural depth, welcomes every inquisitive soul with its unique charm. Come, let's embark on a spontaneous journey to Xingtai and experience the charm of this ancient yet vibrant city!

Xingtai has a long history and rich culture, with many attractions concentrated in the city center. 🚀 Recommended day trip itinerary: Kaiyuan Temple → Xingtai Museum → Qingfeng Tower → Huoshen Temple. . 1️⃣ Kaiyuan Temple 🕌 💰 Admission: Free Kaiyuan Temple was built in the Tang dynasty (696 AD) and is one of Xingtai's most famous Buddhist sites. It was once the place where the Sixth Patriarch of Zen Buddhism, Huineng, spread his teachings. There are fewer people in the early morning, making it a great time to take photos of the ancient architecture in the morning light. 📸 . . 2️⃣ Xingtai Museum 🏛️ 💰 Admission: Free, reservation required. The new Xingtai Museum comprehensively displays Xingtai's 3,500-year history, with special exhibitions on Shang and Zhou civilization ⚔️, Xingyao white porcelain 🍶, Song and Yuan iron smelting, and more. The museum's treasures include a Tang dynasty Xingyao white porcelain jar with the character "盈" (ying) and Shang dynasty bronzeware. We recommend the "Xingtai History" and "Xingyao Porcelain" exhibitions, where you can appreciate the beauty of Xing porcelain, known as "southern green, northern white." 💎 . . 3️⃣ Qingfeng Tower 🏯 💰 Admission: Free Qingfeng Tower is located in the center of Xingtai Ancient City and was built during the Chenghua period of the Ming dynasty. Climb the tower for a bird's-eye view of the old city streets. 🌆 It is one of Xingtai's "Eight Ancient City Sights." 🧨 The night view is especially beautiful. . . 4️⃣ Huoshen Temple 🔥 💰 Admission: Free Huoshen Temple was built in the Ming dynasty and is a rare site for fire god worship in northern China. The temple enshrines the Fire Deity. A temple fair is held every year on the 23rd day of the sixth lunar month, 🎪 and is very lively. The surrounding area is a historical and cultural district with traditional handicraft shops and food stalls. 🍢

Although there are quite a few national treasures in the urban area of Xingtai, the one with real appeal is the Kaiyuan Temple in Xingtai. When it comes to Kaiyuan Temple, everyone must first think of the Kaiyuan Temple in Quanzhou, but in fact, there are many temples named Kaiyuan Temple in China, most of which originated during the Tang Dynasty's Kaiyuan era, when Emperor Xuanzong of Tang decreed that a temple should be built in each state and county, all bearing the name 'Kaiyuan'. The Kaiyuan Temple in Xingtai was built during that period, serving as the ancestral temple for the Great Kaiyuan and Caodong sects, and once, as a royal temple, became one of the centers of Buddhism in ancient northern China. · However, most of what we see of the Kaiyuan Temple in Xingtai today has been rebuilt after the year 2000, so that at first glance, it looks brand new and grand in scale, with none of the feel of an old temple. It was later discovered that the old Kaiyuan Temple and the newly built one are actually two adjacent parks. To see the old Kaiyuan Temple, one needs to enter through the gate of the old temple. Of course, compared to the splendid new Kaiyuan Temple, the old one is much more low-key, with fewer visitors, and can be considered a quiet place amidst the hustle and bustle. · The old Kaiyuan Temple is arranged from south to north, successively including the Maitreya Hall, Pilu Hall, Sakyamuni Hall, Mahavira Hall, its eastern and western side halls, and ear chambers, which appear to have been mostly rebuilt during the Ming and Qing dynasties. Among them, I personally think the Sakyamuni Hall is the most worth seeing. This hall is a hip-roof style building, and in the thirteenth year of the Zhengde era of the Ming Dynasty (1518), four carved stone columns with rolling dragons were added in front of the hall, which are the essence of the temple's architecture. · The four stone columns are 4.5 meters high with a circumference of 2.5 meters, each adorned with dragon carvings, with several dragons coiling around the columns. The dragon bodies and heads protrude from the columns, looking like real dragons leaping and dancing. The vigorous and majestic posture of the dragons and the exquisite carving art are almost unparalleled except for the stone columns at the Confucian temples in China. Such rare treasures are said to have been preserved during a special period when workers covered them with mud. · The most valuable cultural relics in the entire Kaiyuan Temple are not the temple itself, but the last two pagodas and the iron bell. However, the inscriptions on the two pagodas are mostly illegible. One is a sixteen-sided pagoda, cast during the Tang Dynasty, with sixteen sides each 19 centimeters wide, with a row of lotus petals at the top of the body, each with a small seated figure carved on it. The main body of the pagoda is square, hexagonal, or octagonal, with a few cylindrical ones, and it is said that this sixteen-sided form is only found in the Kaiyuan Temple in Xingtai. · The other is a pagoda from the Later Liang Dynasty, called the Zunsheng Tuoluoni Pagoda. The base of the pagoda is a square foundation made of three stone slabs, on which an octagonal Sumeru base is placed, carved from a single piece of bluestone, divided into three parts. The preciousness of this pagoda lies in the high relief of a group of Manjusri, Samantabhadra, and standing Buddha figures above each set of beaded curtains, totaling eight images. · The iron bell was cast in the 'Dading Jiachen Year' of the Jin Dynasty, which is the twenty-fourth year of Dading (1184), with twelve patterns on the bell wall including the sun, moon, people, animals, cattle, fish, etc., corresponding to the twelve zodiac signs. The bell wall also has hundreds of characters that are clear and distinguishable, mostly recording the names or identities, and places of origin of the founders, supervisors, and sponsors. The bell, which has a history of over 800 years, despite being eroded by wind and rain, shows no signs of oxidation, and the reddish color of the bell body still glows, demonstrating the superb iron casting technology of ancient China. It is said that in those days, the bell hung in the bell tower on the east side of the third hall of Kaiyuan Temple and was used to mark the time of lessons. When struck with a large piece of wood, the bell would emit a rough and deep sound that could be heard for miles. · 🏠Name | Kaiyuan Temple in Xingtai 🎫Ticket | Free ⛳Address | No. 88 Kaiyuan North Road, Xiangdu District, Xingtai City 🚗Transportation | Navigate to 'Kaiyuan Temple Park'

Xingtai Kaiyuan Temple, also known as the Great Kaiyuan Temple and the East Great Temple, is located on Kaiyuan North Road, Xiangdu District, Xingtai City, Hebei Province. It was first built during the Kaiyuan period of the Tang Dynasty. It was a royal temple during the Tang and Yuan dynasties and was one of the ancient Buddhist centers in northern China. Kaiyuan Temple in Xingtai is the ancestral temple of the Kaiyuan Sect and the Caodong Sect, the place where the second patriarch of Zen Buddhism passed on his teachings and where the seventh patriarch of Zen Buddhism, Master Shenhui, resided. Its history can be traced back to the Later Zhao period. It was named "Fan'ai Temple" during the reign of Emperor Wen of the Sui Dynasty. It was named "Dayun Temple" by the imperial decree of Empress Wu Zetian of the Tang Dynasty. It was named Kaiyuan Temple by Emperor Xuanzong of the Tang Dynasty. Kublai Khan, the founder of the Yuan Dynasty, visited it twice and named it Da Kaiyuan Temple. In the Qing Dynasty, "Spring Outing in Ancient Temples" was one of the twelve scenic spots in Shunde Prefecture. In the Republic of China, "The Sound of the Bell in the Wild Temple" was one of the eight scenic spots in ancient Xingtai. Kaiyuan Temple in Xingtai is one of the most well-preserved famous temples from the Tang Dynasty in China. There are a large number of ancient inscriptions, statues, pagodas and scriptures preserved in the temple, among which the sixteen-sided pagoda is the only one still existing in China. Zhaozhou Monk was the fourth-generation disciple of Master Huineng, the Sixth Patriarch of Zen Buddhism, from Master Congchan. In the 11th year of Tang Dazhong (857), he was invited to Zhaozhou Guanyin Temple (now Berlin Zen Temple) to preach for 40 years and became a great master in the area, so he was respectfully called Zhaozhou Monk. According to the inscription on the Kaiyuan Temple stele, Kaiyuan Temple is "the place where Zhaozhou gave clothes." In May 2006, Xingtai Kaiyuan Temple was listed in the sixth batch of national key cultural relics protection units by the State Council. Kaiyuan Temple

Kaiyuan Temple in Xingtai, also known as Da Kaiyuan Temple and Dong Da Temple, was a royal temple during the Tang and Yuan dynasties. Kaiyuan Temple is the ancestral home of Da Kaiyuan Sect and Cao Dong Sect, the place where the second ancestor of Zen Buddhism passed on the bowl and the place where the seventh ancestor of Zen Buddhism, Master Shen Hui, stayed. Its history can be traced back to the Later Zhao period. It was named 'Pan Ai Temple' during the reign of Emperor Wen of Sui, 'Da Yun Temple' by Empress Wu Zetian of Tang, and 'Kaiyuan Temple' by Emperor Xuanzong of Tang. Emperor Kublai Khan of Yuan visited twice and named it 'Da Kaiyuan Temple'. Kaiyuan Temple in Xingtai is one of the most well-preserved famous temples of the Tang Dynasty in China. It was a royal temple during the Tang and Yuan dynasties and is also one of the 'Sound of the Bell in the Wild Temple', one of the ancient Xingtai landscapes. Among them, the Tang Sixteen-sided Sutra Pagoda is the only one in China. Kaiyuan Temple is divided into two parts. The ancient Kaiyuan Temple is not currently open to the public. The newly renovated Da Kaiyuan Temple is divided into three functional areas: 'Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha'. It is magnificent and intricately structured. More importantly, many precious rubbings of inscriptions are displayed in the temple. In the courtyard, you can also see a large number of ancient inscriptions, statues, sutra pagodas and sutras, and there are many old photos and text introductions of Xingtai's ancient buildings, which can help you understand the history of Xingtai more deeply.